The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-19
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NATURAL-GAS WEALTH.

The natural-g gas excitement in Indiana is on
the increase. 1t is more than an excitement;
it is an uproar. The situation demands a new
phrase. We must not call it the natural-gas
''craze. for that is not respectful Natural
gas boom suits the popular taste pretty well,
but that word boom is overworked. Per-
haps some scientific etymologist or philologi-
cal scientist will coin phrase to fit the case.
Whatever we may call it, it is spreading
Scarcely day passes that new well is not
reported from some quarter. Several of the
best towns in the State have already found
gas, including M 1nce, Marion, Kokomo, Port
land, Rushville, Anderson and others. By
the time this is in print Indianapolis, now on
tip-toe of expectation, may be added to the
list. The probabilities are strong that the
gas will be found in close proximity to the
city, and if not found it will be piped here.
1t is already found within easy piping dis
lance, and it is only question of short time
when it will be introduced here for manufact-
uring and heating purposes. The discoveries
already made prove that large portion
OF the State is underlaid by a de-
posit of incalculable value, the ex-
istence of which was not suspected
until within few months. One generation
after another has gone on blowing, sowing
and reaping, fattening hogs, holding cleo
tons, marrying and giving in marriage, with
out ever dreaming that an ocean of wealth
was under their feet waiting to be tapped-a
reservoir of condensed light and heat yearning
to be utilized. The scientist might have said
to the Speculation, the speculator to the scien-
fist, and every man to his neighbor, '.There
are more things in heaven and earth than are
dreamt of in your philosophy" Natural gas
is one of them. The scientists are completely
at sea about it. They know little, but they
have sense enough to know how little, and
they are too wise to claim to know much
They are going slow, feeling their way along
and gathering facts to work upon. True sci
ence collects facts before it makes theories,
and, as Professor Coulter said in his address,
delivered few days ago, ''The subject is so
new that we are but beginning to collect the
facts, and some of the most important of these
demand a longer time than any study Of gas
wells has given u.s." This is the spirit Of true
science. to boast nothing and claim little but to
keep up terrible thinking and persistent
collection of facts. In time, perhaps, we shall
know more about the origin and nature of the
gas, its sources Of supply, the signs of its ex-
istence, the prospects Of its duration, ETC.
Meanwhile it is enough for the present to
know that new source of wealth has been
discovered, second only to the coal deposits
Of the practical value of the discovery to the
State there can be no doubt. The effect is
already felt in many localities and in many
ways. 1t is giving the State new impetus
and wider advertisement than it has had for
long time. It is opening mems eyes to the
fact that there is no better or fairer State in
the Union than Indiana, and none richer in
natural resources. Capital is flowing in from
all directions, and the movement has but just
begun. lis evident the State is about to en-
ter on new career of prosperity.